Keaton Wagler at 5: Smart Pick or Huge Miss?

The wait is finally over. The Clippers used the fifth pick on Keaton Wagler, and Grant Mona was inside the Intuit Dome for two days to see it all unfold. He breaks down the pick with John Browner, who is not sold. John argues Lawrence Frank basically exposed the team's process when he explained it, that the pre-draft workout was set up to make Wagler look good, and that Darius Acuff Jr. was the better choice at five. They get into what actually worries John about Wagler's athleticism, why the Clippers prioritized fit next to Darius Garland, and whether this was a smart bet or a miss. From there the guys go around the rest of the draft. They cover the Lakers passing on a real need with the Austin Reaves situation before trading up for the freakishly athletic Cameron Carr, the one true surprise of the lottery in Dallas, and the loaded crop of guards. Then it opens up to the offseason, Ja Morant and LaMelo Ball both being available and what that says about both situations, where Jaylen Brown lands after the Giannis deal fell through, the free agency locks, and why John does not think Miami escapes the East even with Giannis. Chapters 00:00 The Clippers Finally Make Their Pick, Keaton Wagler 01:20 John, Lawrence Frank Exposed the Process 04:55 Why the Staged Workout Doesn't Impress John 07:04 What Turns John Off About Wagler's Game 08:40 Should They Have Taken Darius Acuff Instead 16:42 The Lakers and the Austin Reaves Mistake 18:01 The Lakers Trade Up for Cameron Carr 20:51 A Highlight Reel That Makes You Stand Up 24:54 Segment Two, Around the Rest of the Draft 25:28 The One Real Surprise, the Mavs Pick 39:54 Ja Morant and LaMelo Ball Are Both Available 43:34 Where Does Jaylen Brown End Up 58:29 Free Agency Locks and the Miami Aftermath 1:07:00 Doc Rivers, Steve Kerr, and Inheriting a Winner 1:08:26 Why Miami Won't Escape the East With Giannis 1:10:55 A Chalk Draft and LeBron's Looming Decision The Sporting Tribune Today airs on KIRN 670 AM in Southern California, 98.5 The Bet in Las Vegas, and the Hawaii Sports Radio Network, with new episodes out the same night on YouTube. Follow Grant at gmona48 for Clippers coverage all offseason, and subscribe so you catch the next one. Heads up, there is some explicit language in this one. #Clippers #NBADraft #NBA